What Advirna does

ADViRNA (legal name: Advanced RNA Technologies, LLC, d/b/a ADViRNA LLC) is a privately held, Worcester, Massachusetts-based boutique contract research organization founded in 2007 by Dr. Alexey Wolfson and Dr. Anastasia Khvorova. It provides integrated research services for oligonucleotide (siRNA and antisense oligonucleotide, or ASO) therapeutic development, spanning custom oligonucleotide design, custom synthesis with diverse chemical modifications and conjugations, high-throughput screening, biodistribution analysis via its proprietary HYBRID-ON™ assay, and custom assay development. ADViRNA also sells a catalog of validated gene-specific siRNA reagents and Starter Kits.

The company's underlying technology platform centers on three differentiated assets: a proprietary siRNA design algorithm co-developed with the Khvorova Lab and published in Nucleic Acids Research—the first prediction tool trained specifically on chemically modified, cholesterol-conjugated siRNAs, with reported up to 80% positive predictive power; self-deliverable siRNA chemistry that enables gene knockdown without lipid-based transfection reagents; and the HYBRID-ON™ ELISA-style hybridization-ligation assay capable of detecting 1–1000 femtomoles of modified oligonucleotides and distinguishing single-nucleotide variants in biological matrices. Scientific advisors include Nobel laureate Dr. Craig Mello and Professor Khvorova of UMass Medical School.

ADViRNA operates a sales-led, consultation-driven go-to-market model, acquiring clients via direct outreach, website consultation requests, and scientific partnerships. Revenue is generated through project-based professional services (design, synthesis, screening, biodistribution) plus catalog reagent sales, with custom quote-based pricing. Its primary customer segments are academic research laboratories and emerging biotechnology companies developing oligonucleotide therapeutics, with pharmaceutical companies as a secondary segment. The company has disclosed strategic partnerships with Abzu (AI/ML), Aurora Pharmaceuticals (ocular siRNAs), GenKardia (Titin-targeting cardiac program), Sirnaomics, Vrata Therapeutics, SUNY Upstate, and Alpha Preclinical.

Name

Advirna

Legal name

Advanced RNA Technologies, LLC, d/b/a ADViRNA LLC

Website

https://advirna.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ADViRNA is a privately held, Worcester, MA-based boutique CRO founded in 2007 that provides integrated siRNA and antisense oligonucleotide design, synthesis, screening, and biodistribution services to academic labs, emerging biotechs, and pharma teams developing RNA therapeutics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contract Research Services (Oligonucleotide Therapeutics)

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (6215)

SIC

Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)

akta.pro primary industry

Bioanalytical & Biomarker CROs (PK/PD/Immunogenicity) (HLAGAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Central Laboratory & Clinical Trial Testing CROs (HLAGAAAE), Specialty Therapeutic-Area CROs (e.g., oncology/rare disease) (HLAGAAAL)

Keywords

• Oligonucleotide therapeutics
• RNAi drug discovery
• SiRNA design services
• Antisense oligonucleotide synthesis
• Biodistribution analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

Worcester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. CRO Services - Oligonucleotide Design: Custom siRNA and ASO design services using proprietary algorithms, with species-specific and transcript-specific customization capabilities.
2. CRO Services - Oligonucleotide Synthesis: High-quality synthesis of siRNAs and ASOs at various scales (mini-scale 1-10 nmol, mid-scale 10-200 nmol, large-scale 0.2-2 µmol) with diverse chemical modifications and conjugations.
3. CRO Services - Oligonucleotide Screening: High-throughput screening services for siRNAs and ASOs including qPCR, reporter-based knockdown (psiCHECK), protein quantification (ELISA/Western blot), and RNA-seq through partners.
4. HYBRID-ON Biodistribution Services: Proprietary assay services for quantifying therapeutic oligonucleotides in plasma and tissue samples using the HYBRID-ON detection platform.
5. siRNA Reagent Products: Catalog of validated gene-specific siRNAs, siRNA Starter Kits, and non-validated siRNA kits for researchers. Products include Cy3-labeled cholesterol-conjugated siRNAs and GAPDH controls.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ADViRNA is a boutique Contract Research Organization (CRO) providing integrated oligonucleotide therapeutics services spanning custom siRNA and ASO design, synthesis with chemical modifications and conjugations, high-throughput screening, and biodistribution analysis. The company also sells a catalog of validated siRNA reagents and operates the proprietary HYBRID-ON detection assay platform for quantifying modified oligonucleotides in biological samples.

Product overview

ADViRNA operates as a boutique contract research organization (CRO) offering an integrated suite of oligonucleotide therapeutics services. The portfolio centers on three core service pillars: Oligonucleotide Design (using proprietary algorithms developed with the Khvorova Lab), Oligonucleotide Synthesis (in-house production with diverse chemical modifications and conjugations), and Oligonucleotide Screening (high-throughput validation via qPCR, luciferase, ELISA, and RNA-seq). Supporting these core services are specialized offerings including the proprietary HYBRID-ON™ biodistribution assay for tissue-specific quantification, siRNA Reagents (validated and non-validated catalog products), Custom Assay Development, and technology-specific Conjugations and Chemical Modifications services. The company was founded in 2007 and serves academic labs, biotech companies, and pharmaceutical teams across the full discovery-to-preclinical development pipeline.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HYBRID-ON™: Proprietary ELISA-style hybridization-ligation assay platform for quantifying therapeutic oligonucleotides in biological samples

Products and services

• Oligonucleotide Design

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 80% positive predictive power for self-delivering, cholesterol-conjugated siRNAs using proprietary design algorithm
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting, strategic, academic, innovative and foundational.

• AbzucoreTechnology or IntegrationEuropean AI company behind the QLattice—an explainable machine learning platform that accelerates siRNA therapeutic development. Applies interpretable models to large-scale datasets to help design potent and selective siRNAs while minimizing sequence-dependent off-target effects including miRNA-like interactions. This partnership enhances ADViRNA's design capabilities with AI-driven prediction tools.
• Alpha PreclinicalsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvider of preclinical research services addressing discovery preclinical research sector demands. Offers IVIS imaging, colony management, iterative preclinical testing, surgical and in vitro laboratory services. Helps clients with drug development and research programs through comprehensive preclinical support.
• Aurora PharmaceuticalsstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloping siRNA-based therapeutic eye drops for conditions involving uveal melanocytes. ADViRNA provides oligonucleotide design and development services for their ocular RNAi therapeutics pipeline, supporting their mission to create safe yet potent ocular treatments.
• GenKardia Inc.strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloping gene-based therapeutics for diastolic heart failure by targeting Titin (key driver of cardiac stiffness). Their lead compound GKA-100 reduces expression of Titin N2B isoform to restore heart flexibility. ADViRNA assisted with lead identification for their oligo-based programs.
• SUNY Upstate Medical University - Bernstein LabacademicStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Bernstein Lab studies molecular drivers of blinding eye diseases, focusing on fibrotic and degenerative conditions in cornea and anterior segment. Current work includes exploring protein aggregation, stress pathways, and use of self-delivering siRNAs to modulate fibrosis and promote regeneration. Collaboration supports ocular therapeutic development.
• SirnaomicsstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing RNAi therapeutics for cancer and fibrotic diseases. Uses proprietary polypeptide nanoparticle and GalNAc-conjugate delivery platforms for targeted, systemic siRNA delivery. Partnership enables collaboration on shared therapeutic development interests.
• Vrata TherapeuticsinnovativeStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloping a cell-penetrating antibody capable of delivering nucleic acid cargo directly to cytoplasm of cells in extrahepatic tissues. This approach bypasses the endosomal escape barrier, which otherwise limits the amount of nucleic acid therapeutic reaching its intracellular site of action. Represents cutting-edge delivery technology collaboration.
• Khvorova Lab (University of Massachusetts Medical School)foundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing research collaboration with the Khvorova Lab led by Dr. Anastasia Khvorova (ADViRNA co-founder and scientific advisor). Joint development of proprietary siRNA design algorithm published in Nucleic Acids Research—the first prediction tool trained specifically on chemically modified, cholesterol-conjugated siRNAs.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Ionis Pharmaceuticals: Leading antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapeutics company with deep expertise in chemical modification and conjugation. Comparable technical and customer-segment overlap on the ASO side of ADViRNA's business.
• Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT): Danaher-owned leader in custom oligonucleotide synthesis with extensive catalog and modification capabilities. Competes with ADViRNA on synthesis and reagents but lacks ADViRNA's specialized biodistribution and self-deliverable design focus.
• Charles River Laboratories: Large preclinical CRO with safety assessment, bioanalytical, and research model services. Competes with ADViRNA on preclinical oligonucleotide and biodistribution work for pharma clients, but does not specialize in siRNA/ASO design.
• WuXi AppTec: Global CRO/CDMO with preclinical, bioanalytical, and oligonucleotide manufacturing capabilities. Represents a scaled, integrated alternative for sponsors evaluating ADViRNA for larger oligonucleotide programs.
• Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals: Clinical-stage siRNA therapeutics company with broad pipeline across hepatic and extrahepatic targets using multiple delivery platforms. Comparable end-market positioning—shapes demand for the same CRO services ADViRNA provides.
• Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Commercial-stage leader in siRNA therapeutics with deep GalNAc and extrahepatic delivery pipelines. Indirect peer—its successful programs create downstream CRO demand for organizations like ADViRNA, while also representing an alternative for sponsors developing in-house capabilities.
• Eurofins Scientific: Global laboratory services group with broad bioanalytical, genomic, and preclinical CRO capabilities. Competes with ADViRNA on biodistribution and bioanalytical work, but as part of a much wider portfolio rather than an oligonucleotide-focused practice.

Direct peers

• Bio-Synthesis: US-based custom oligonucleotide synthesis and modification CRO offering siRNA, ASO, and conjugation services. Closely comparable boutique CRO competing for the same academic and emerging-biotech customer base as ADViRNA.
• Bioneer: Korea-based oligonucleotide synthesis and siRNA services company with both catalog products and custom services. Direct overlap with ADViRNA's synthesis, design, and screening offerings for academic and biotech customers.

Emerging players

• Sirnaomics: Clinical-stage RNAi therapeutics company developing siRNA candidates for oncology and fibrotic disease. Both a strategic partner to ADViRNA and a comparator in the oligonucleotide design and screening service ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/advirna

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Advirna